ABSTRACT
Data collection or information gathering takes place at two stages along the exploratory action research journey: during the initial exploration and then again to observe the effect of the action or intervention. Smith and Rebolledo describe 12 data collection methods, or “sources of information”. These are common among teacher researchers, particularly those employing methods associated with exploratory practice or action research when the goal is to embed the research activities as much as possible into regular classroom practice. Narrative inquiry is a research approach that makes use of stories to understand the life experiences of the people sharing the stories, from their perspective. Stories are central to the research process. Analyzing data—interpreting it, understanding it, making sense of it—isn’t always a neat, separate stage that follows data collection. Analysis really begins much earlier, even while the process of information gathering is taking place.
